Compressing device



Feb. 11, 1936. R. TEMPLE, JR 2,030,303

COMPRESSING DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYE Feb. 11, 1936. R. TEMPLE, JR 2,030,803

Y COMPRESSI'NG DEVICE Filed Aug. 18, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j. 04; 4 M: a: 0 0 MA 1: 7. W

n ///s v 7 2 MW 22 Z A TTORNEYS Patented Feb. n, 193s d I 2,030,803

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE in 2,030,803

commassmc nEvIoE Robert, Temple, Jr., Denver, 0010., assignor to Robert Temple, Inc., Denver, Colo.

application August 18, 1931, Serial No. 557,857

21 Claims. (01. 14o 11s) This invention relates to presses and more par- Among the objects of the present invention ticularly to a structurein which the power for then, is the provision of a press in which power applying pressure is obtained by the expansive is obtained through the use of an explosive charge. action of an explosive charge. Another object contemplates a press which is The preferred embodiment discloses a press portable and as light in weight as possible, con- 5 of a type well adapted for compressing metal joint sistent with safety in strength thereby to save sleeves on the ends of metal cables and wires, time in such pressing operations. solid or stranded, of electrical transmision cir- It is of paramount importance that the full cuits or lines. This type of explosively actuated impact resulting from the ignition of the express may also be used for die forging or bending plosi've charge be utilized in the operation of the 10 operations, and for driving cotters, keys and' press, and it is a further object of the invention wedges. to provide means to restrict the operation of the In the practical installation of electrical curpress until the maximum pressure is realized rent transmission lines and connections of alufrom the explosion of the charge.

5 minum, copper, steel, alloys or other suitable Another object is to provide in a press of the metals, used in long transmission lines for elecabove stated character, an explosion chamber trical power, telephone or telegraph circuits or clrcumferentially closed and an abutment at the industrial plants, it becomes necessary to make end of the chamber in the line of operative movejoints between sections of cable or wires and also ment so that said movement will be effected by 2 to connect branch lines with the main transmisthe full force of the expansion of the gases resion line. sulting from the explosion of the'charge.

Such joints must have 'sufilcient mechanical To the attainment of the above and other obstrength to sustain the stresses on the line, as jects which will appear as the description prowell as to provide an intimate joint between the ceeds' reference may be made to the accompanysections of the cable or wire and insure the highest ing drawings, in which 25 possible efliciency in the transmission of the elec- Fig. 1 represents a perspective of the assembled trical current. press;

The latest approved practice makes use of Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the press besuch metal sleeves having holes axially throughfore compression, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; out their length of a diameter large enough to Fig. 3 is a similar longitudinal section of the 30 admit the ends of the cable sections which are press after compression; to be jointed. One end of the section of cable Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3 illusor wire is inserted in one end of the sleeve, tratingasleeve having one end compressed about then the assembly is placed in the press and acable; power is applied to firmly compress the sleeve Fig. 5 is a transverse section of hexagonal die 35 end around the end of the cable or wire. members of the press before compression showing The next operation is to insert an end of the theirrelation to the work; and 0 cable or wire section, to be joined in the hole at Fig. 6 is a view partly in section showing the the other end of the sleeve, which is then commanner of assembling a pair of cable ends in a pressed. sleeve. 40

In the case of attaching or fastening a branch This press may be said to comprise generally line to the main transmission line, one end of the a body or main frame having mounted therein a branch cable, or wire, is inserted in a socket pair of die members, and a piston-hammer for opening of a suitably formed metal branch fitproducing relative movement between the die x ting and the fitting and end of branch cable, or members and a firing mechanism for detonating 45 wire, are then placed in the press and the metal a charge which in turn actuates the piston. branch fitting is compressed around the end of v Referring more specifically to the drawings in the branch cable, or wire. which like reference numerals designate like It is important in making joints between parts, it will be observed that the body or main stranded cables that the sleeve be compressed frame l0 of the press comprises a cylindrical bore 50 or squeezed onto the ends of the cable or wire il, one end of which forms an explosion chamber so that the strands become one solid mass without 21. Accurately fitted in the cylindrical bore ii any voids between the strands and also that the is a piston l2 having a rectangular hammer end joint between the sleeve and stranded wire be l3. The cylindrical bore II is enlarged over aelectrically perfect. portion M of its length into a rectangular section, 55

and the rectangular hammer I3 is accurately" fitted to this enlarged rectangular portion H. The body of the press adjacent the enlarged rectangular portion It takes the general form of a pair of legs, the enlarged rectangular portion M of the bore extending from one side to the other of the frame.

Mounted in the enlarged portion l4 adjacent the hammer is a die member I5 hereinafter designated as the upper die, which may be shaped as a half cylinder, hexagon, octagon or other suitable form. Also mounted in the portion M for cooperation with the die I5 is another die l6, which may be called the lower die.

The hammer i3 is formed with a recess I! in which is fitted a compression stud having a hollow body l8 and a stud portion I9, this stud acting to support piston i2 at the top of cylindrical bore ii, thus maintaining predetermined volume of explosion chamber 21, and to retain the hammer l3 against compressing movement until maximum pressure is realized from the explosion of the charge.

This is an important feature of the press since by restricting the operative movement of the hammer-die until the pressure produced in the explosion chamber, is at its maximum, the blow of the hammer die upon the work supported on the anvil die, is delivered with all the force ob-. tained by the expansion of the gases resulting from the ignition of the explosive charge.

.The compression stud has a shearing action, its pressure-withstanding strength being slightly below the maximum pressure obtained in the explosion chamber, and it is to be understood that while its connection with the hammer die, as shown and described, is preferable by reasonof simplicity in construction, the shearing-member may be placed at other points of the press and may be made in any suitable form within the scope of the invention.

Screwed to the lower end of the main frame ID is a circular threaded ring 23, to tie the two legs at the lower end of the main frame,

this ring being provided with openings 2! for the accommodation of a spanner wrench. A dowel pin 22 may be inserted adjacent the ring 20, to secure the lower die H6 in proper position. If desired, the dies l5 and i6 may be formed with cutting edges 23 and 24 to prevent the formation of fins on the sleeve after compression thereof.

At the upper end of the main frame I is a plug 25 which is screw threaded into the upper end of bore I l, and sealed in any convenient inanner, this plug being effective to form a head for the explosion chamber above the piston I2. The plug 25 is hollow and provided, adjacent the explosion chamber or upper end of bore II, with an adjusting screw 26 having a slot 21 for the reception of a suitable wrench. The purpose of the adjusting screw is to force the piston and hammer, together with the compression stud, and upper die, into engagement with the sleeve previous to the application of power, thus preventing any lost motion between the upper die, sleeve and lower die, and also to hold the sleeve in correct alignment prior to compression. The upper portion of the plug above the adjusting screw provides a chamber for the reception of a cartridge 28 containing a charge of powder 29, the cartridge being provided with a detonating cap 30. Fitted to the upper end of the plug 25 is the firing mechanism for detonating the charge, this mechanism taking the form of a tube orcylinder 3! which encloses a piston 32 having a stem 33 and a firing pin 34. ,The piston rod or stem 33 is transversely drilled to receive a releasing pin r designed to hold the piston and firing pin in an inoperative position. Surrounding the rod 33,

between the closure 36 for the tube 3| and the piston 32 is a compression spring 31. 38 is a handle by means of which the piston 32 may be manipulated.

It is to be observed that in the operation of the press, the explosion chamber is circumferentially closed so that the full pressure of the explosion reacts upon a single abutment, which it is noted is directly in line with the movement of the hammer-die.

From the above description, the operation of the press will be readily apparent. The end of one cable or wire section W is inserted in the sleeve S, which is placed between the upper and lower dies. serted in the recess ll of the hammer l3.

A suitable wrench is then inserted through the bore of the plug and the adjusting screw A 26 actuated to force the piston and. hammer together with the compression stud and upper die 25 down against the sleeve 8 which is then held properly in position by the dies with no lost motion between the dies and the sleeve. When the work is smaller, the adjusting screw 26 is screwed farther down, which thereby provides manual means for changing the size or volume of the explosion chamber above the piston 52, to compensate for different amounts of explosive charges and also to produce the required intensity of impact through the piston and hammer for the duty 3;

involved.

The cartridge with its powder charge and detonating cap is next inserted to close the bore of the plug 25. The firing mechanism, together with the piston which has been previously raised 40 to compress the spring 31 and held in such position by the pin 35, is attached to the plug 25 above the cartridge.

The press is then ready for operation. When the releasing pin 35 is removed the spring 31,

suddenly expanding will drive the piston and firing pin 34 against the detonating cap to explode the powder charge. Expanding gases therefrom will'pass into the upper portion of bore II, and the pressure generated thereby will drive the piston and hammer downward with intense energy shearing the stud l9 from its hollow body l8 and telescoping the stud and said body, in the position indicated in Fig. 3.

Then'the hammer I3 under high velocity will strike a powerful blow against the upper die, compressing the sleeve firmly around the cable or wire.

It will be noted that the piston l2 has a tight fit in the bore ll, so that the expanding or spent gases are not allowed to exhaust into the atmosphere, which prevents noise normally incident to an explosion. Immediately after the explosion, the spent gases condense, so that when the plug 25 is removed a small amount of moisture,

be readily withdrawn through the press, the die 76 The compression stud |8l9 is in- 20 Before the second blow is delivered aosaaos i 6 and ring 20 may be removed to facilitate withdrawal of the finished joint from the press.

It is obvious that the upper and. lower dies may be of such design and form as will produce desired results in the compression of sleeves for cable or wire joints, also die forgings or bending operations or various forms and shapes and the driving of cotters, dowel pins, keys and wedges.

As is knowmthe force of the exploding or expanding gases, is equal and opposite. By confining this reaction wholly within the present device, and by preventing the exhaust of gases into the atmosphere, recoil is prevented. The force of the explosion in an upward direction is taken care of by the top of the explosion chamber. The force in a downward direction is absorbed by the relatively stationary die l6, so that the force is not exerted beyond the device, which, asstated, prevents recoil.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. A press comprising a frame having complemental die elements shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, means in said frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, and means, comprising a piston normally separated from the movable die-element and adapted to engage the same, to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element.

2. A press comprising a frame having complemental die elements shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, means in said frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, means to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element, and means interposed between said transmitting means and said movable die to retain transmitting means against compressing movement until maximum pressure is realized from the explosion of the charge.

3. A press comprising a body having an internal bore, a pair of legs extending from said body, removable means to clampingly secure said legs together. complementary die elements in said body shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, the other of said elements being demountably fixed between said legs, means in said body to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, and means slidably mounted in said bore to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element.

4. A press comprising a frame having complemental die elements shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, means in said frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, and means to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element, and manually actuatable means to move said transmitting member relative to said movable die member.

5. An explosively actuated press comprising a Y work support, a compression member, explosive means effective to produce a high pressure within the press, means to transmit said pressure to said compression member, andmeans cooperative with pressure of expansive force resulting from the deta the compression member to restrict operation of said transmission means until a predetermined degree of pressure is attained in the operation of said explosive means.

6. A press-comprising a frame having comple- 5 mental die elements shaped 'to receive apiece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, means in said frame toreceive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, means to transmit the onationof the charge to the movable die element, and means interposed between said transmitting means and said movable die to retain the transmitting member from movement relative to the movable die until maximum pressurefrom the explosion is realized. v

7. A press comprising a frame having complementary die elements shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, means on said frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, means to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element, and means interposed between said transmitting means and said movable die, comprising a hollow body and a stud connected in alinement with the hollow portion of the body, to retain the transmitting means against compressing movement until the pressure is sufficient to break the connection between the body and stud and cause same to telescope.

8. A press comprising a frame having complementary die elements shapedto receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, a chamber in said frame to contain an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, means to change the size of the chamber, and means to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element. v

9. A press comprising a frame having complementary die elements shaped to receive a piece of work therebetween, one of said elements being movable relative to the other element, a chamber in said frame to contain an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, manually operable screw means to change the size of the chamber, and means to transmit the pressure of expansive force resulting from the detonation of the charge to the movable die element.

10. A press comprising a body having a. piston chamber and an explosion chamber axially in alinement, a member constituting a part of the explosion chamber, and adjustable in the direction of the axis of the same, whereby to vary the volume of the explosion chamber, a piston mov-" able in the piston chamber, and a seat forwork, disposed to subject the work to pressure by movement of the piston.

11. A press comprising a body having a piston chamber and an explosion chamber axially in alinement, a member constituting a. part of the explosion chamber, and adjustable in the direction 12. A press'comprisinga frame having 7 diaos eoe legs providing a seat for a removable die member. and adapted to clampingly secure said die member upon the seat, clamping means forthe legs, a movable die member, means in the frame to receive an explosive charge, means'to detonate said charge, and movable means to transmit the pressure of expansive force, resulting from detonation of the charge, to the movable die member.

13. A press comprising a frame having spaced legs providing a seat for a removable die member, and adapted to clampingly secure said die member upon the seat, a movable die member, a ring in screw-threaded engagement with the legs to efiect their clamping action upon the removable die member, means in the frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, and movable means to transmit the pressure of expansive force, resulting from detonation of the charge, to the movable die member.

14. A press comprising a frame having spaced legs providing a seat for a removable die member, and adapted to clampingly secure said die member upon the seat, clamping means for the legs, a movable die member, a dowel pin to further secure the removable die member upon its seat, means in the frame to receive an explosive charge, means to detonate said charge, and movabie means to transmit the pressure of expansive force, resulting from detonation oi the charge, to the movable die member.

15. In a press having an explosion chamber and a body movable by the expansive force of an explosive detonated in said chamber, of a detonaing device comprising a firing-element, includig a housing, a spring-controlled firing pin in the housing, and a withdrawable member connected with the firing pin and normally resting against the housing to hold the pin in an inoperative position.

16. An explosion-press, a frame having an explosion chamber, a transmission-device movable by pressure produced in the chamber, and a shearing-member in the path of said transmission-device adapted to restrict movement of said device until the said pressure has reached a predetermined maximum.

17. An explosively-actuated press comprising a stationary die member and a relatively movable die member adapted to-engage the work at op-= posite sides thereof, a piston chamber, a piston hammer in said chamber normally separated action.

18. In an impact press, the combination of a frame, a piston slidable therein, means for receiving a charge of combustible material for generating gas to act on said piston and move the same, and means for retarding the initial movement of said piston, said means including a replaceable shear member having a resistance to shearing proportional to a predetermined gas pressure.

it. In an impact press, the combination of a frame, a piston slidable therein, means for receivlng a charge of combustible material for generating gas to act on said piston and move the same, a hammer on said piston, shearabie means for retarding the movement of said hem mer, and an anvil spaced from said hammer for cooperation therewith when the hammer is released by said means.

20. In an impact press, the combination of. a frame having a cylinder, a piston slidable therein, means for receiving a charge of combustible material arranged to discharge gas into said cyiin der when ignited, means for igniting said charge, and a shearable member for retarding movement of said piston, said member being arranged to be sheared by said piston at a predetermined gas pressure.

21. In an impact press, the combination of a frame having a cylinder, a piston slidable therein, means for receiving a replaceable cartridge of combustible material arranged to discharge gas into said cylinder when ignited and having a detonating cap, removable means in said frame for access to said cartridge, firing mechanism in said means including a firing pin for cooperation with the cap of said cartridge, and shearable means for retarding movement of said piston until the gas pressure in the cylinder reaches a predetermined limit.

' ROBERT 'I'EWLE, JR. 

